North Korea is heavily promoting the “Samjiyon-style potato farming method” to increase potato production nationwide, but farmers report severe shortages of essential resources including seed potatoes.
Technical workshops fail to address practical needs
A Daily NK source in Ryanggang province revealed that a technical workshop was recently held at Chunghung Farm in Samjiyon to introduce the farming method, but described it as “merely going through the motions of an event ordered from above.”
“The Samjiyon-style potato farming method is being promoted as achieving high yields through mechanization, improving soil fertility with liquid fertilizers, and cultivating superior varieties based on scientific technology,” the source explained. “But in reality, there are no measures in place to support any of this.”
Official media portrays ambitious program
North Korean media reported on April 19 that agricultural officials from various provinces, including Jagang province, participated in the technical workshop at Chunghung Farm in Samjiyon.
According to state reports, the Samjiyon-style potato farming method was “created” by leader Kim Jong Un and involves introducing superior virus-free potato seed varieties suited to Samjiyon’s geographical and climatic conditions, combined with scientific soil improvement, moisture damage prevention, blight control, and advanced fertilization techniques.
The media claimed the workshop included discussions about high-yielding potato varieties with high dry matter content, scientific and technical issues in seasonal potato farming, and implementing the Samjiyon method to exceed potato production targets.
Farmers face harsh reality on the ground
The source indicated local reactions showed the workshop was merely ceremonial with no practical technology transfer or real solutions offered.
Farmers complained: “It sounds impressive to call it a ‘farming method,’ but we lack machinery, fertilizer, and even seed potatoes,” according to the source.
“Every year they demand yields of 40 tons per jongbo (equal to 2.45 acres), but the seed storage facilities are covered in mold and we don’t even have enough seed potatoes to plant this year,” the source said. “Potatoes are being planted now and should be finished by mid-May, but there are no solutions and farmers are frustrated that they have to figure everything out themselves.”
Growing disconnect between policy and implementation
Despite giving the method an impressive name and holding events like technical workshops to introduce it elsewhere, farmers complain that “the state only cares about production figures while farms still have to solve everything through self-reliance.”
“Farmers in Samjiyon say they want to take pride in doing good potato farming in the homeland of the General (Kim Jong Il), but tractors are breaking down and seeds are insufficient,” the source said. “They’re lamenting how they could possibly produce 40 tons of potatoes per jongbo under these conditions.”
